High Capacity Geosynthetic Direct Shear Machine

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is seeking to procure a High Capacity Geosynthetic Direct Shear Machine through a single source acquisition from Gilson Company, Inc. at a cost of $46,000. This specialized equipment is required to perform direct shear testing on large particle soil materials used in the design of Mechanically Stabilized Earthen Walls. The current equipment utilized by the State Materials Office is limited to testing soil particles up to 2.24mm in size, while construction practices allow for the use of larger particle sizes up to 2 inches. Purchasing this high-capacity machine will enable FDOT to test materials more representative of those used in construction, potentially increasing the design friction angle and decreasing the length of geosynthetic straps required, providing cost savings. This acquisition will primarily benefit FDOT projects within Leon County and the City of Tallahassee.

The procurement is conducted through a single source justification, as the specialized piece of equipment is uniquely manufactured and sold by Gilson Company, with no available alternatives. The notice outlines the applicable procurement statutes and the process for filing any protests within the prescribed timeframe. There are no set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed. The budget for this acquisition is $46,000.